Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Published: October 27, 2015
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: January 24-29, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4.5 stars
Book Description:
Bennie Rosato the founder of the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm hides her big heart beneath her tough-as-nails exterior and she doesn’t like to fail. Now, a case from her past shows her how differently things might have turned out. Thirteen years ago, Bennie Rosato took on Jason Leftavick, a twelve-year-old boy who was sent to a juvenile detention center after fighting a class bully. Bennie couldn’t free Jason, and to this day it’s the case that haunts her. Jason has grown up in and out of juvenile prison, and his adulthood hasn’t been any easier. Bennie no longer represents those accused of murder, but when Jason is indicted for killing the same bully he fought with as a kid, she sees no choice but to represent him. She doesn’t know whether or not to believe his claims of innocence, but she knows she owes him for past failures–of the law, of the juvenile justice system, and of herself. Forced to relive the darkest period of her life, Bennie will do everything in her power to get the truth, and justice.
Jessica’s Review:
As I have mentioned in previous reviews, I have become a big fan of Lisa Scottoline and the Rosato & Dinunzio series. I have just been reading them out of order. (Not of my own choosing, it was ignorance of not knowing the first one that I read was the fourth in the series…) Now I am all caught up and have read all of the books in this series. Corrupted focuses on the enigma that is the boss-lady herself: Ms.Bennie Rosato, and I can say I saved the best for last. I finally know about Bennie’s life!.
Corrupted starts in present day with Bennie receiving a phone call from a former client who now faces a murder charge. Though she doesn’t take murder cases, she feels that she MUST take on this case because of her past failings with the client, Jason Leftavick.
Corrupted takes us back in time when Jason was a twelve year old dealing with a class bully situation that gets out of hand and Bennie takes on his case. Again, having read this series out of order I know what will happen and was enjoying knowing Bennie’s ‘future’ and wondered how this novel was going to end. There was a huge secret that Bennie has that no one knows that left me with my mouth dropped! When the ‘past’ case ends and we go back to present day I couldn’t help but root for Bennie and Jason to win their case. I had no idea how this case was going to conclude and the way it does end is shocking! It was also a bit unbelievable, but I still really enjoyed it! Due to the unbelieve-ability my rating was 4.5 stars.
The books in this series can all be treated as standalones and therefore can be read out of order and you won’t lose anything by doing that, but I would say read it in order as that is how it is meant to be read.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to future installments that Ms. Scottoline writes. There is an 11 book series that comes before this one called Rosato & Associates that I must read! Here’s to hoping my library system offers it on audio!
Corrupted is highly recommended!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Betrayed by Lisa Scottoline
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Published: November 24, 2014
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: February 1-7, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 3.5 stars
Book Description:
Blockbuster author Lisa Scottoline returns to the Rosato & Associates law firm with “Betrayed,” and maverick lawyer Judy Carrier takes the lead in a case that’s more personal than ever. Judy has always championed the underdog, so when Iris, the housekeeper and best friend of Judy’s beloved Aunt Barb, is found dead of an apparent heart attack, Judy begins to suspect foul play. The circumstances of the death leave Judy with more questions than answers, and never before has murder struck so close to home.
In the meantime, Judy’s own life roils with emotional and professional upheaval. She doesn’t play well with her boss, Bennie Rosato, which jeopardizes her making partner at the firm. Not only that, her best friend Mary DiNunzio is planning a wedding, leaving Judy feeling left behind, as well as newly unhappy in her relationship with her live-in boyfriend Frank.
Judy sets her own drama aside and begins an investigation of Iris’s murder, then discovers a shocking truth that confounds her expectations and leads her in a completely different direction. She finds herself plunged into a shadowy world of people who are so desperate that they cannot go to the police, and where others are so ruthless that they prey on vulnerability. Judy finds strength within herself to try to get justice for Iris and her aunt — but it comes at a terrible price.
Jessica’s Review:
If you have been following my reviews, then you know I have been listening to the Rosato & DiNunzio (R&D) series and really enjoying it. Yes, I have been listening to them out of order- but that was not my fault: I won a copy of Damaged via a Goodreads giveaway. Damaged sounded interesting and I did not know it was part of a series. Over the course of reading this series I have grown attached to these characters and cannot wait to find out when the next one will be released.
Betrayed is the second in the series, and this time Judy takes the lead. We get to learn more about her as a person and her family situation is a full part of the novel. Judy is my least favorite of the ladies, and even after this one she still comes off as immature. As I was listening to this, I did identify with Judy some as a relative of hers has a health situation come up, and I recently had a family member face a very similar situation. That resonated with me as I felt some similar things that Judy did. Sometimes you are meant to read a book at a certain time, and reading Betrayed in 2019 was for me.
As with all the R&D novels, we start in one direction and end up going in another. The focus of Betrayed deals with immigrants and their legal status. Judy becomes determined to find out what happened to her Aunt Barb’s friend Iris no matter the cost, sometimes to Judy’s detriment. This one was less the legal thriller and more of the family drama, but I still enjoyed it.
Having read the series out of order I enjoyed certain parts of the book more: This is the second book and I know what is in the ‘future’ for these characters and enjoyed knowing what is coming, but also having some bittersweet feelings knowing as well. The ending had a mixture of emotions for me knowing what is to come.
Betrayed is recommended.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Feared by Lisa Scottoline
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Published: August 14, 2018
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: January 17-24, 2019
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
In the new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Mary DiNunzio’s ruthless nemesis Nick Machiavelli is back…with a vengeance.
When three men announce that they are suing the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm for reverse sex discrimination—claiming that they were not hired because they were men—Mary DiNunzio and Bennie Rosato are outraged. To make matters worse, their one male employee, John Foxman, intends to resign, claiming that there is some truth to this case.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer is Nick Machiavelli, who has already lost to Mary once and is now back with a vengeance —determined not to not only win, but destroy the firm. It soon becomes clear that Machiavelli will do anything in his power to achieve his end…even after the case turns deadly. The stakes have never been higher for Mary and her associates as they try to keep Machiavelli at bay, solve a murder, and save the law firm they love…or they could lose everything they’ve worked for. Told with Scottoline’s trademark gift for twists, turns, heart, and humanity, this latest thriller asks the question: Is it better to be loved, or feared…
Feared, the sixth entry in the acclaimed Rosato & DiNunzio series, expertly explores what happens when we are tempted to give in to our own inner darkness.
Jessica’s Review:
Feared is the sixth novel in the Rosato & DiNunzio series and I can’t wait to see what happens next! I have been reading the series out of order; you don’t really miss much as Scottoline catches you up on what has happened previously. I cannot wait to go back and listen to Betrayed and Corrupted which focuses on Judy and Bennie!
This time the ladies are back and they face a reverse discrimination lawsuit: That they did not hire three men because they are men! But the ladies have John who works with them so it can’t be reverse discrimination! Or can it???
Like all the other novels in the series, Feared starts in one direction and ends up going in another. This time Scottoline went in a direction I NEVER saw coming! You grow attached to these characters over the course of the series and then we get this… Bravo Scottoline!
We also have back Mr. Bad himself: Nick Machiavelli. He is a villain you just love to hate! And of course Mary’s family and ‘the three Tonys’ are back for more family craziness and comic relief. These books would not be the same without Mary’s crazy Italian family!
If you enjoy legal thrillers with some humor, give the Rosato & DiNunzio series a try and if you are a fan of the series, do read this one!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK